#beyondthebeard

Take the Pledge

Remove the crud in your diet! Junk food, processed food and fatty foods have been linked to prostate cancer risk. Plant-based foods, on the other hand, have been shown to offer protection. Consider removing one health-depleting food from your diet for 30 days. Doing so not only will help you raise prostate cancer awareness, but you’ll be proactive in the mission for prevention.

I pledge to remove one of these items for 30 days:

Fatty Foods

Many of the fatty foods we commonly eat may be harmful1. Diets higher in fat can boost inflammation linked to prostate cancer progression2. Maintaining a healthy body weight is important for prevention since obesity is a risk factor for prostate cancer3. Meat creates carcinogens when tossed on the grill (4). Red meat consumption is associated with prostate cancer risk5. And dairy products have been associated with increased prostate cancer risk6.

Processed Foods

Processed meat and cancer have a strong connection. It’s likely due to a combination of saturated fat, nitrites (preservatives) and heme iron found in animal tissue. New recognition by the World Heath Organization lists processed meats as a class one carcinogen5.

Junk Foods

Eating more junk foods and following a Western diet may lead to increased prostate cancer risk7. This might be why the American Institutes for Cancer Research recommends choosing foods that are nutrient-dense (beans and vegetables) while limiting or avoiding calorie-dense foods (sugary drinks, candy)8. Choosing more whole-foods is the key. Nature knows best and packages the right nutrients in a way that the body can recognize and retain for optimal nutrition.

Replace with: Fresh fruit or whole-grain desserts made with natural sweeteners like dates, figs and raisins. Sparkling water with lemon or lime over soda. A small piece of dark chocolate in place of a milk chocolate dessert.

No Crud and No Crud November are education and advocacy initiatives of the nonprofit Blue Cure® Foundation. Blue Cure does not endorse any course of treatment for men with prostate cancer. Content on NoCrud.org and NoCrudNovember.org is not intended to provide nor should it be interpreted as professional medical advice. Consult a trained medical professional for more information regarding treatment, side effects or problems related to your medical condition.